What is the Vellore HG 6 handstamp?

Vellore HG 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Vellore in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1839 to 1843. The "HG 6" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.

How rare is Vellore HG 6?

Vellore HG 6 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.

What does a Vellore pre stamp cover with HG 6 look like?

A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Vellore is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like HG 6. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.

How do I identify or submit a Vellore HG 6 cover?

Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1839–1843). If your cover is not already recorded, you can submit front and back photographs through the census form on this page; every submission is editor-reviewed before publication.

Madras Presidency · Pre-1854 Handstamp

Vellore HG 6

Handstamp

Colour & date: Red1839–1843
Rarity: Common
Catalogue: 1996 Supplement · p. 9
Figure: 6
Submitted by: D. Hammond Giles

← HG 5 All Vellore

Census

Census records

1 cover recorded

1 pre-1854 cover bearing the Vellore HG 6 handstamp is recorded below — each entry links to images, provenance and auction details.

COV-508

1839

India, Vellore, 1839, "VELLORE/1839 April 26/Paid" Framed Datestamp (Giles 6, 1996 Supplement). Clear strike in red with manuscript "Ship Postage 2as, Inland a 3 (=) 5" rate on back of folded cover to Edinburgh, Scotland, sender's directive "Europe Letter" , red framed "INDIA LETTER/MARGATE" (Robertson In. 1) and red Crown "G.R." inspector handstamps, Madras Out Station (Apr. 28) and London (Sept. 17) transit and Edinburgh (Sept. 18) arrival backstamps, manuscript "1/6" written twice and crossed out and "2/8 ½" rate markings, Very Fine and quite scarce

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About this mark

The Vellore HG 6 handstamp

Vellore is in North Arcot District, Madras Presidency, situated 12°55' N and 79°9' E, on the right bank of the Palar River, 87 miles from Madras. Shortly after 1760, Vellore was occupied by an East India Company garrison, and was unusuccessfully attacked by Haidar Ali in 1780. A mutiny occurred in 1806, when a large number of European soldiers were massacred by the sepoys. The Mysore princes were attributed to have caused the mutiny, and were thereafter removed to Bengal.

Vellore HG 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of the post office at Vellore in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1839 to 1843. Known strikes are in red. It is listed in 1996 Supplement, where each marking of British India is assigned a figure number — hence "HG 6".

A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance. On the strength of that count the mark is graded "Common" — the grade moves automatically as new covers are recorded. Collectors searching for vellore pre stamp covers, vellore postal history or "Vellore HG6" material can compare HG 6 across every office or browse the rest of the Vellore marks.

Frequently asked

What is the Vellore HG 6 handstamp?: Vellore HG 6 is a pre-1854 handstruck postal marking of Vellore in the Madras Presidency, British India, in recorded use from 1839 to 1843. The "HG 6" designation is its figure number in the Hammond Giles catalogue of the handstruck postage stamps of India. Known strikes are in red.
How rare is Vellore HG 6?: Vellore HG 6 is graded "Common" in this census. Rarity here is evidence-based: it is derived from the number of surviving covers actually recorded, not estimated. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance.
What does a Vellore pre stamp cover with HG 6 look like?: A pre stamp (pre philatelic) cover from Vellore is a folded letter or envelope carried before India's first adhesive stamp of 1854, with postage shown entirely by hand-struck marks like HG 6. A single surviving cover bearing this mark is recorded in the census, with images and provenance. Each census record on this page links to full cover images, dates and auction provenance.
How do I identify or submit a Vellore HG 6 cover?: Compare your cover against the reference impression and recorded examples on this page — check the mark's shape, colour and date range (1839–1843). If your cover is not already recorded, you can submit front and back photographs through the census form on this page; every submission is editor-reviewed before publication.

Same office

Other recorded marks at Vellore

6 marks

6 other pre-1854 postal markings of Vellore are recorded in the census. Compare their figure numbers, dates and colours to identify the mark on your cover.

View all Vellore marks and postal history →

Suggest a correction

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Also searched as: Vellore HG 6, Vellore HG6, Vellore Giles 6, Vellore handstamp, Vellore pre stamp cover.

How to cite

“Vellore HG 6 — handstamp,” Hand Struck Stamps, https://handstruckstampsindia.com/madras/vellore/hg-6 (accessed 10 August 2026).

Updated: 10 Aug 2026